Start your journey
Become a transformational leader in K-12 schools and districts
Leadership is a crucial, learnable skill that, when applied to education, becomes a powerful tool for shaping student growth and achieving organizational success. Are you ready to address the critical questions facing schools and districts today?
This professional master's program equips you with the advanced knowledge and strategic skills needed to drive meaningful institutional change and answer complex organizational leadership questions. Your coursework will develop skills with:
- Strategic alignment: make data-driven decisions that reflect your institution's shared vision and values, essential for effective organizational leadership.
- Teacher capacity building: design specialized professional development to enhance teacher performance and boost internal capacity.
- Organizational change: understand how policies shape behavior and gain the expertise to successfully adapt your organization to new social, economic, and political environments.
- Continuous improvement culture: master the skills of group dynamics and collaboration to foster a permanent culture of excellence.
- Goal achievement: learn to set smart goals and implement effective policies and practices to achieve them.
Careers
Graduates of the master's (MEd) in leadership in education are prepared for a wide range of careers, including:
- Teacher leader
- Instructional coach
- School principal
- Director of special education
- Director of community education
Application deadlines
This program admits students three times each year: Applications are due by July 1 for a Fall semester start, November 1 for a Spring semester start, and March 1 for a Summer session start.
- Applications are not complete until all required materials and fees have been received. If anything is missing, your application may not be considered.
- Applications are processed by the Graduate School. A decision for admission notice will be emailed to you once your application is carefully reviewed by the department's admission committee and your transcripts and any credentials (test reports, diploma copies, etc.) are authenticated by Graduate School officials.
Degree: Bachelor's degree
GPA: 2.8 undergraduate
GRE: Do not submit GRE scores, as they will not be considered in the review process.
Teaching experience is preferred, but not required for admission to this program.
TOEFL/IELTS Scores (Not required for U.S. students):
- TOEFL: Internet based = 79 or above (21 writing/19 reading)
- IELTS = 6.5
- Refer to this page for all English language proficiency requirements.
Note: this program is called "Leadership in Education - MED" in the University application system.
Required Fields
- Personal Information
- Application Information
- Educational Background
- Languages
- Employment/Residence Information
- Applicant Statements #1 & #2
- Recommendations Letters (limit 2)
- Resume or CV
Optional fields: All other fields or application materials are optional but will be taken into consideration if submitted.
Application Fee
U.S. citizen/permanent resident: $75.00; International: $95.00. Click here for more information about application fees.
Transcripts
Unofficial transcripts or academic records should be uploaded directly to the online application. Please do not mail in paper copies of your transcripts. There is no need for official transcripts or academic records for initial review. The University will request official copies of this material if you are admitted. Click here for more information about transcripts and credentials.
GRE Scores
Do not submit GRE scores, as they will not be considered in the review process.
Applicant Statements
Complete Statements #1 & #2; Statement #3 is optional.
Statement #1: Personal Statement
Please provide a statement—do not exceed two pages—outlining why you are interested in this program and your immediate educational and long-range career objectives in relation to your chosen field. You may wish to include:
- How you expect this program will contribute to your professional development and career goals.
- How you anticipate applying the knowledge and skills you will gain from the program to your current or future working challenges and needs.
- How your professional experience can contribute to the collective learning of your fellow students in the program
Statement #2: Diversity
Enrolling and graduating a diverse student body is central to the University of Minnesota’s mission. Please write a statement that identifies the distinctive qualities, characteristics, and life experiences you would contribute to your graduate program and to the education of fellow students at the University of Minnesota. You may wish to include examples that address your contribution to the diversity of the student body and illustrate your motivation to succeed by setting high standards for accomplishing intellectual and other goals, overcoming obstacles to achievement, and/or helping others to gain access to the resources necessary for success. [Please do not exceed one page.]
Statement #3: Extenuating Circumstances (optional)
If your grades and/or test scores are not strong, and you would like to provide an explanation, please do so. [Please do not exceed one page.]
Letters of Recommendation
Two letters of recommendation are required. Acceptable recommendations will come from current or former supervisors, work peers, clients, or professors who can assess your academic and professional capabilities.
When you apply, the online application includes a section for you to list the contact information of the individual recommending you. They will receive an email from the application system with instructions on how to submit their letter. Please ask your recommendation providers to check spam/junk mail folders if they don't receive the message.
Request letters of recommendation early in the application process to allow enough time for your letter writers. Unsubmitted letters of recommendation are one of the most common delays during the application review process.
You may finish and submit your application before the recommenders submit your letters.
Additional Requirements for International Applicants
International students who will have completed 16 semester credits (within the past 24 months) in residence as a full-time student at a recognized institution of higher learning in the United States before entering the University of Minnesota are exempt from the testing requirement but may be asked to take locally administered English tests after arrival on campus. Click here for more information about English language proficiency requirements.
Contact
If you have any questions regarding the application process, please contact our graduate admissions staff at olpd@umn.edu.
Tuition
2025-2026 professional graduate program costs (links directly to most recent program tuition rate)
CEHD Fellowships, scholarships, assistantships, and grants for graduate students
As a graduate student in CEHD, you may be eligible for fellowships, grants, and scholarships from the University of Minnesota, from our college, and from your academic department. Get more information on funding opportunities!
University Funding Opportunities:
Refer to the University of Minnesota Graduate School's funding page, specifically the page on fellowships for prospective / incoming students. Questions about University funding opportunities should be directed to the Graduate School —612.625.7579, or gsfellow@umn.edu
CEHD Funding Opportunities:
Refer to CEHD funding opportunities. Questions about college and department-level funding for this program should be directed to OLPD graduate admissions staff at olpd@umn.edu.
Financial aid
Financial aid for your graduate program works a little differently than financial aid at the undergraduate level. It’s important to know the differences and explore your options. Check out this One Stop link for more information on eligibility, required steps, and timelines.
Register for an upcoming info session
If you are interested in meeting with us to discuss the program, please register for an upcoming information session.
Contact us
If you simply have a question and would like someone to reach back out with information, please complete our request information form. Be sure to select "MEd in Leadership in Education" as your program of interest:
Coursework
We understand that your professional goals are unique. That's why our curriculum is designed for maximum flexibility.
Customized learning: half of your required credits are fulfilled through elective courses. This allows you to tailor your degree, often aligning with graduate certificates in areas like staff development, school technology, reading, or school administration.
The leadership in education MEd requires a total of 30 credits (16 credits of required coursework and 14 elective credits). This is a program for working professionals looking to advance their career in education leadership. Courses are predominantly offered in person, but some may be offered with online or hybrid options.
Course names and descriptions are included in this section.
Required coursework (16 credits)
- OLPD 5361—Project in Teacher Leadership (3 cr)
- OLPD 5364—Context and Practice of Educational Leadership (3 cr)
- OLPD 5374—Leadership for Professional Development (4 cr)
- OLPD 5387—Leadership for Teaching and Learning (3 cr)
- OLPD 5501—Principles and Methods of Evaluation (3 cr) OR CI 5177—Practical Research (3 cr)
Elective coursework (14 credits minimum)
14 or more credits of elective courses with advisor approval. Students often choose elective credits aligned with certificates in staff development, school technology, reading, and school administration. Examples of topics that you can explore with your electives include:
- Teaching and learning in a multicultural, pluralistic democracy
- Planning interdisciplinary and thematic learning
- Assessing student learning to differentiate instruction
- Cross-cultural perspectives on leadership
- Literacy, mathematics, science, and social studies
- Professional development
- School technology
- Women in leadership
Transfer credits
A maximum of nine graduate semester transfer credits may be applied to this MEd program. Transfer courses must be completed at the graduate level and approved by a faculty advisor and the College of Education and Human Development; a review of course syllabi is required.
Credits may include any combination of the following coursework:
- Up to six graduate semester credits from fully accredited institutions other than the University of Minnesota.
- Credits completed at the University of Minnesota before admission to the M.Ed. program
Contact our graduate admissions staff at olpd@umn.edu for more information.
Contact
Debra Prenkert
-
Coordinator, Leadership in Education MEd
- she, her, hers
- dprenker@umn.edu
Dr. Prenkert has been in K-12 education for 28 years. She was a classroom teacher for 12 years at the elementary level, and has worked in administration at both the school and district level: Title I Specialist, Grant Coordinator, Elementary School Principal, Director of Elementary Education, and Assistant Superintendent.